If you’re craving a breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a plate, the Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast Recipe is exactly what you need. This dish brings together thick, custardy slices of brioche soaked in a decadent bourbon-infused maple custard, perfectly toasted with a golden crust, and topped with crispy bits of smoky bacon. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and boozy flavors that turn an ordinary morning into something extraordinary. Ready to impress yourself or your brunch guests? Let’s dive into this unforgettable recipe that balances richness and comfort with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet impactful ingredients is the first step to creating the magic of this recipe. Each element plays a specific role: from the soft, buttery bread soaking up the custard, to the bourbon adding a subtle depth, and the bacon delivering a crispy punch of saltiness.
- Thick-cut brioche or challah bread (8 slices): The perfect base for French toast thanks to its rich texture and buttery flavor, great when slightly stale to hold the custard well.
- Large eggs (4): Essential for the custard, they bind and enrich the soaking mixture.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Adds creaminess and helps create the smooth custard for soaking the bread.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): Boosts richness, making the French toast extra luxurious and tender.
- Pure maple syrup (2 tablespoons): Infuses a natural sweetness that complements the bourbon and bacon perfectly.
- Bourbon (1 tablespoon): Brings a warm, woody note that elevates the custard beyond your typical French toast.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet aromatic touch.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle hint of spice that rounds out the custard’s flavor profile.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and heightens the savory notes from the bacon.
- Cooked bacon, chopped (8 slices): Provides crispy texture and smoky, salty bursts throughout the dish.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Used for cooking, it gives the French toast that irresistible golden crust without overpowering other flavors.
- Additional maple syrup for serving: For that extra drizzle of sweetness at the end.
How to Make Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Custard
Start by combining the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, bourbon, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk everything thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and homogenous. This luscious custard is the foundation of the dish, soaking into the bread and imparting all those irresistible flavors.
Step 2: Preheat Your Skillet
Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt one tablespoon of butter. The key here is to get the pan hot enough so the toast sizzles when it hits the surface, which helps create that perfect golden-brown crust.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Dip each slice of thick-cut bread into the bourbon maple custard, letting it soak for a few seconds on each side. Avoid over-saturating—it’s all about getting the bread moist but not soggy, so it cooks through evenly without falling apart.
Step 4: Cook Until Golden Brown
Lay the soaked bread slices carefully onto the hot skillet. Cook each side for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the surface turns a gorgeous golden brown and the custard has set inside. Add more butter as needed to keep the skillet greased and your toast from sticking.
Step 5: Garnish with Bacon and Serve
As soon as each batch is done, sprinkle the chopped cooked bacon generously over the French toast. The salty crunch complements the sweet maple notes beautifully, creating a perfectly balanced bite every time.
How to Serve Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
Top your French toast with extra crispy bacon bits and a generous drizzle of warm maple syrup. For an added touch of freshness, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh berries can brighten the plate.
Side Dishes
A light fruit salad or a side of scrambled eggs complements this rich dish well, balancing out the sweetness and adding some fresh textures. Roasted breakfast potatoes with herbs also make a hearty and savory counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform this classic breakfast by stacking the French toast slices layered with bacon in between for a vertical delight. Serve it on rustic wooden boards or colorful plates to make the warm hues pop visually. You can also skewer smaller toast bites with bacon pieces for fun, shareable brunch bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cooked French toast tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It keeps best in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, maintaining flavor and texture well.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. Place cooled French toast slices on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They will keep well for up to one month.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F until warmed through for a crisp exterior. Avoid the microwave when possible, as it tends to make the toast soggy.
FAQs
Can I omit the bourbon in the Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast Recipe?
Absolutely! If you prefer to avoid alcohol, simply substitute the bourbon with an equal amount of additional maple syrup or milk. You’ll still get that rich sweetness and custardy texture.
What kind of bread works best for this recipe?
Thick-cut brioche or challah are ideal thanks to their sturdy yet tender crumb and buttery flavor. Slightly stale bread is preferable because it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
How do I prevent the French toast from getting soggy?
The secret is not over-soaking the bread. Dip each slice just long enough to coat but avoid letting it sit in the custard. Also, cooking on medium heat ensures the outside crisps up before the inside becomes mushy.
Can I prepare the custard mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the bourbon maple custard up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before soaking your bread slices to recombine all the ingredients.
How should I cook the bacon for this recipe?
Cook your bacon until nice and crispy, either on the stove, in the oven, or even in the air fryer. Crispy bacon provides the perfect contrast in texture and flavor, elevating the entire dish.
Final Thoughts
With its perfect marriage of sweet maple syrup, boozy bourbon warmth, and crispy bacon crunch, the Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast Recipe truly turns breakfast into an occasion. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing friends at brunch, this dish delivers rich flavors and comforting textures that you’ll want to make again and again. So grab that brioche, fire up your skillet, and create a morning masterpiece that satisfies every craving.
Print
Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Bourbon Maple Bacon French Toast combines the rich flavors of bourbon and maple syrup with savory crispy bacon for a perfect sweet and savory breakfast or brunch. Thick-cut brioche or challah bread is soaked in a luscious custard mixture and cooked to golden perfection on the stovetop, then topped with chopped bacon and drizzled with extra maple syrup.
Ingredients
French Toast Custard
- 8 slices thick-cut brioche or challah bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings & Cooking
- 8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for cooking
- Additional maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, bourbon, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Heat the skillet: Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, ensuring the surface is well-coated to prevent sticking.
- Soak the bread slices: Dip each slice of brioche or challah into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side without becoming overly saturated to maintain structure while absorbing flavor.
- Cook the French toast: Place the soaked bread onto the hot skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until each side is golden brown and the center is cooked through. Add more butter to the skillet as needed when cooking additional slices.
- Serve with toppings: Sprinkle the chopped cooked bacon over the French toast just before serving and drizzle generously with additional maple syrup for a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Notes
- For a stronger maple flavor, add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup to the custard mixture.
- If preferred, omit the bourbon and replace it with 1 tablespoon of milk or extra maple syrup.
- Slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard without becoming soggy.
